Before changing, establish what matters.

‘Tis the time of year for change! (Actually any time is the time for change…) Right now, we are besieged with “resolution-mania.” The question on everyone’s lips is “What are you resolutions?” We look more critically at ourselves in the mirror. We imagine losing weight, exercising more, getting more fit, improving our relationships.There is nothing wrong with deciding to change. Actually, it’s probably one of the healthier things you can.

The problem is not figuring out “why” before you start.

Before you decide to move forward and re-arrange your life and the lives of everyone else around you, ask yourself one simple question:

“Why do I want to change this?”

If the answer includes the word, “Should,” (such as “I should be thinner,” or “I should make more money) disregard it. You will never stick with it. However, if the answer is, “I want to…” or “I need to…” (and “I’m willing to…”), then pick a small goal, and start immediately.

Knowing “why” you’re changing can be important as “what” you’re changing.

Failure to plan is planning to fail.

It might be a little cliche, but the sentiment is true. We say we’ll get everything done and we really mean it. (Sound like the name of a website?) But the reality is that life has its own patterns – and life is better about getting us off-track than we will ever be about getting it to conform to what we want.

Especially now at the beginning of a new year, block out some time to plan where you want to go. Make a schedule and do your best to stick to it.

It won’t work out the way you expect it – but it will be a lot closer to it than doing nothing.

Think in the gray areas.

Limiting yourself to black and white ideas will inhibit you.

We tend to see things in “black and white” and change is not that way.

We use expressions like “I was good” or “I was bad.” “I was on my diet.” or “I was off my diet.” “I had a great day.” or “I had a lousy day.” “Life is great.” or “Life is lousy.”

In reality, most of the time, it’s somewhere between the two extremes. When we use a more realistic portrayal of how things are, it gives us the ability to appreciate what we like while still improving what we do not.

That is not something we can do when we only look at life as “either/or.”

If you don't already receive Scott's Monday Motivational memo sign up RIGHT NOWand get Scott's most popular e-book of 135 quotations to help get you going - PLUS six months of the sem-weekly "Monday Motivational Memo" with simple, quick insights and links that will take you seconds to read but whose impact will last a long time.It's all FREE.No obligation.

If you don't already receive Scott's Monday Motivational memo sign up RIGHT NOWand get Scott's most popular e-book of 135 quotations to help get you going - PLUS six months of the sem-weekly "Monday Motivational Memo" with simple, quick insights and links that will take you seconds to read but whose impact will last a long time.It's all FREE.No obligation.

Click the Button Below to Sign Up

Sign Me Up via Facebook Connect!

We hate spam just as much as you

Signing you up!

Ready To Get Past What's Holding You Back?

If you don't already receive Scott's Monday Motivational memo sign up RIGHT NOWand get Scott's most popular e-book of 135 quotations to help get you going - PLUS six months of the sem-weekly "Monday Motivational Memo" with simple, quick insights and links that will take you seconds to read but whose impact will last a long time.It's all FREE.No obligation.